Citadel of Mycenae

Citadel of Mycenaeans 

One of the Largest citadel led by warrior-kings 

Located in mainland Greece dating back 1600 BCE 

Citadel of Mycenae was built for a concern of defense 

City is located on

• High ground
• Protected by mountains in north & south  
• Flanked by two ravines : allowing good surveillance of a wide area to the coast 
• Fortifications erected in the 14th century to enclose the palace compound & a grave circle
  • Walls are 18-24 feet thick 
  • 40 feet high
  • Constructed of boulders 
    • With minimal shaping 
    • No mortar: except for sections close to gates where stone is cut into large blocks 

Entrance 

Mycenaean Columns

• Slender 
• Tapered sharply downward 
• Some had green alabaster
  • Carved with spirals 
  • Chevrons in relief 

Surface Decoration: Walls & Ceiling 

• Covered with slabs 
• Decorated with spirals
  • Rosettes 
  • Motifs 
  • Traces of color 

Decoration of Dome

• Bronze nail 
• Bronze rosettes 
• Metallic friezes